Kickstarter Spotlight: FLEE-The Graphic Novel

By now pretty much everyone has heard of Kickstarter, if you haven’t it’s a great new way to fund pretty much anything you feel you want to create. This opens the doors for many aspiring creators out there-whether it be a comic, graphic novel, documentary, or even an animated series or movie. The best part? If you pledge and the person(s) don’t make their goal, you don’t pay a dime. Not that I wish anyone to fail but it’s nice to know that if you invest and it doesn’t work out, you’re not out a penny. This Kickstarter program is near and dear to my heart because he’s a friend of mine and everything that I’ve seen him produce is amazing but I’ll let him tell you all about it.

WHAT’S THE STORY ABOUT?

Bug Exterminator, Rigby Pinkerton, is one of the biggest losers in the world. His ex-wife left him penny-less and now he’s stuck at home living with his plastic surgery obsessed Mom. His life suddenly gets more complicated when he unwillingly gets caught in a intergalactic war that literally crash lands into his backyard. He’s the only one that can stop a deadly alien swarm and help a lone alien hero save the universe. Too bad Rigby has better things to do… like fawning over the hot new single mother that moved in next door.

WHY AM I DOING THIS?
My name is Raphael Moran. I’m the writer and creator of Flee. It’s a story I’ve had in mind since high school that has finally come to fruition after all these years.

Flee has been a labor of love for all involved. Our team of artists have been working hard for the last 3 years to make this fantastic story come to life. Various personal setbacks have delayed the process of the book, but we’re finally on track to finish this epic intergalactic story.

This is the first time I’m using Kickstarter to help fund a project. I’ve been funding this project all by myself and with the recent birth of my new child, the cash has been a little tough to continue this project successfully. I don’t want to see this dream of mine die. We got this far and I don’t want to give up. It has always been my dream to tell stories. As long as people enjoy my work, I’ve done my job.

WHERE THE MONEY GOES:FLEE is being published by Arcana Studios, so we don’t have to pay for publishing. However the production of the book is still on my shoulders.

Money earned will go to covering artist fees, postage, and development of the comic and the incentives. Any extra money accumulated through the Kickstarter program will go toward added costs beyond production of the first graphic novel, i.e. trademarking fees, marketing fees, advertising fees through print, media, convention attendance, etc. It will also go toward production of future installments! My ambition is that this will continue on as a series of graphic novels.

If we don’t reach our goal within 60 days, though, no one will be charged anything; you’ll pay only if the project is successful.

WHAT YOU’LL GET WHEN YOU PLEDGE:
No matter how much you can afford to pledge, I want to make sure you get the most value for your buck. Postal charges are already included within rewards that require postage.

I think we’ve included great rewards for hardcore collectors and for the casual fan. Check out the below for what you get when you pledge!

Pledge $1 or more

You will be sent an original Flee “Thank You” artwork from Flee artist, Ed Watson. Artwork will feature the characters from the book along with a message from the creator. In addition to that, you will also receive a PDF copy of Raphael Moran’s hit web comic, ANGST, which also features a 15 page preview of Flee. All artwork will be sent digitally toward your email.

Estimated Delivery:Jul 2012

Pledge $5 or more

• Limited Reward (98 of 100 remaining)

You will receive a signed, printed first edition mini-comic of Raphael Moran’s hit web comic, Angst. In addition to that, you will also receive a printed signed “Thank you” Flee artwork from artist Ed Watson and a 25 page PDF preview of Flee. Postage is included in this reward for residents in the United States. For international postage, please add another 5$. Thank you.

Estimated Delivery:Jul 2012

Pledge $20 or more

• Limited Reward (198 of 200 remaining)

You will receive everything included in the first reward, plus a signed copy of Raphael Moran’s first published novel, The Dark Tides. (It’s a sci-fi, monster story about a group of undersea drillers that unleash an ancient gateway of hell hundreds of miles under the ocean.) Postage is included for US residents. Please add another 5$ for international residents.

Estimated Delivery:Aug 2012

Pledge $25 or more

• Limited Reward (10 of 10 remaining)

FLEE REWARD! Get an exclusive first printed edition of Flee, signed by the creators of the book, plus a special Flee Thank you artwork. The book features over 85 pages of beautiful art by Marc Borstel, Ed Watson and Atul Bakshi. Please add 5$ for a international shipping.

Estimated Delivery:Mar 2013

Pledge $30 or more

• Limited Reward (25 of 25 remaining)

You will receive a printed “Angst” mini-comic, a printed Flee Thank You picture, A 25 page PDF preview of Flee, and a signed copy of Raphael Moran’s first novel, Dark Tides and a PDF of DREAM REAVERS #1. Plus as a added incentive, you’ll get a limited edition “FLEE” keychain. Once again, please add 5$ for international shipping.

Estimated Delivery:Aug 2012

Pledge $40 or more

• Limited Reward (48 of 50 remaining)

The DREAM REAVERS Reward- You will get a PDF of the entire 85 page FLEE comic. You will have your name featured on the Flee facebook page (www.facebook.com/Fleecomics) in a special acknowledgement section. You will also receive everything from the 5 dollar reward, and as a added incentive you will get a signed trade paperback of Raphael Moran’s hit comic series, DREAM REAVERS. Plus in addition to that you will receive a special preview of the Dream Reavers sequels. Dream Reavers 2- Eternal Awakening and the Dream Reavers- 7 Sins. Postage already included in reward for US residents. For people living outside the US, please add another $5 for shipping.

Estimated Delivery:Nov 2012

Pledge $50 or more

• Limited Reward (8 of 10 remaining)

This is the Galaxy Reward! You will get a first edition, signed copy of Flee. You will receive a Angst Mini-comic, a Flee Thank you picture, a signed copy of the Dream Reavers Trade paperback, and a signed copy of Dark Tides. Your name will also be featured in the acknowledgements page of the FLEE facebook page. (www.facebook.com/Fleecomics) Postage for US residents already included, for international residents, please add 5$ more. Thanks.

Estimated Delivery:Sep 2012

Pledge $75 or more

• Limited Reward (10 of 10 remaining)

NEBULA REWARD You will receive a first edition printed version of FLEE, signed by the creators. You will also receive an 11″x17″ signed original piece of FLEE artwork from either Raphael Moran or Ed Watson. Your name will be featured on the Flee facebook acknowledgement page. You will receive a Angst mini-comic signed by the creators, a signed copy of “Dark Tides“, a printed “Thank You” artwork and a FLEE key chain, plus a Dream Reavers Key chain. Please add another 5$ for international shipping.

Estimated Delivery:Dec 2013

Pledge $85 or more

• Limited Reward (5 of 5 remaining)

The Super Nova Reward! You will receive a first edition printed version of FLEE, signed by the creators. You will also receive an 11″x17″ signed original piece of FLEE artwork from either Raphael Moran or Ed Watson. Your name will be featured on the Flee facebook acknowledgement page. You will receive a signed “Angst” mini-comic, a signed copy of Dark Tides, a printed “Thank You” artwork and a FLEE key chain. As a added inceptive, you will get a signed copy of Dream Reavers #3,4 and a PDF of Issue #1 and 2. Once again, postage is included and for international residents, please add another 5$.

Estimated Delivery:Sep 2013

Pledge $100 or more

• Limited Reward (5 of 5 remaining)

The UNIVERSE Reward! You will receive a copy of the Flee Graphic novel, signed by the creators. A special copy of the original script with behind the scenes artwork by the creators. You will receive a signed copy of the Dream Reavers Trade paperback. A signed copy of Angst mini-comic. A signed copy of Raphael Moran’s sci-fi novel, Dark Tides and a “Thank You” artwork from artist Ed Watson. In addition to all that, you’ll receive a “Flee” Key chain and an original piece of Flee artwork signed by one of the creators and your name in a special “Gold” section of the contributors Flee facebook page. As an extra incentive, I will give you 10 random comics from my personal collection of comic books.

Estimated Delivery:Dec 2013

Pledge $200 or more

• Limited Reward (2 of 2 remaining)

Big Bang! reward. You will receive a signed copy of Flee, plus a signed copy of the Dream Reavers Trade paperback, a signed copy of Angst, a signed copy of Dark Tides, and a Flee Key Chain. The added incentive here… you will get 50 comics from Raphael Moran’s personal collection of comic books, plus a 8-1/2″x11″ piece of artwork of your choice by either Raphael Moran or Ed Watson.

Estimated Delivery:Dec 2013

I’m looking forward to bringing this exciting project to you, and with only your help can we make this a success. Thank you.

Check out the cover for the “Angst” mini-comic, featured as one of our rewards:

Here is the cover to the DREAM REAVERS TRADE PAPER BACK. Also one of the rewards listed:

So there you have it, all kinds of great incentives to donate to a graphic novel that looks like it’s going to be amazing. You don’t have to donate much-I’m sure no one would mind if you donated a lot-but donate, this looks to be a fantastic story with fantastic art and it’s a creator owned book. The comics community has to get behind more creator owned properties because there are lots of great stories to be told and some really great artists out there that will never be seen because of lack of funds, so support this project if it interests you, support ANY project that interests you. Stay tuned to Comic Booked for updates on Kickstarter programs and just to stay informed. Get Comic Booked, Today!

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About The Author

I love all things that express creativity. Comics, movies, books, action figures, video games, music, art. I myself enjoy writing and drawing/painting and have dreams of having my own comic someday. I am Geek hear me roar! I also fought a bear once...and won. October 31st that is my date of birth. I went to a party and I did the Smurf.. SO, on behalf of Comic Booked, let me welcome you to THUNDERDOME!!